Liquid dispensing device with bulb pump



June 23 1949- D. L. sPENDER ErAL LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE WITH BULB PUMPFiled May 8, 1945 ///v//// 1 l.//// m\ INVENTOR. 00A/Aw ,SPENDER. BYGRAY z .z/T/.E/e,

ATTORNEY [lll/lll IE Patented VJune 28, 1949 2,414,442 LIQUID DIsPENsINGDEVICE wrrH BULB PUMP Donald L. Spender, Wo Waterbury, Conn., as

facturing Company,

poration oi Connecticut lcott, and Gray L. Butler,

signors to Scovill Manu- Waterbury, Conn., a cor- Application May 8,1945, Serial No. 592,682 10 Claims. (Cl. 222-207) This invention relatesto liquid dispensing devices of the type which are adapted to be appliedto a container and particularly to constructions which are renderedoperable' to discharge liquid from a container only when the containerand device are inverted.

Liquid dispensing devices as heretofore constructed have generally beendesigned to dispense liquid when the container and device are in anupright position. However, such constructions are generally complicatedand frequently do not give a uniform discharge of liquid. On the otherhand, those liquid dispensers which are operable when inverted have notgenerally served to prevent evaporation or discharge of liquid when thecontainer and device are in an upright position.

In accordance with the present invention a liquid dispensing device isprovided which is'simple and economical to produce and assemble and is-operable on inversion of the container and device to draw liquid from acontainer and to discharge it in substantially uniform quantities. Atthe same time the device serves to protect and seal the container andits contents when the container and device are in upright positions.This result is attained by providing a novel type of pump meansincluding valves and related elements for controlling the flow of fluidto and from the device.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel typeof liquid dispensing device which is inexpensive to produce andconsistent and uniform in its operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved liquiddispensing device for application to a container so as to be renderedoperable only when the container and device are in an inverted position.

These and other objects and features f the invention will appear fromthe following description thereof in which reference is madel to thefigures of the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a preferred embodiment oftheinvention as seen when the device and container are in an uprightposition.

Figs. 2 to 4 are vertical sectional views similar to Fig. 1 but showingthe parts in various positions they assume when the container and deviceare inverted and the device is operated, and

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the construction shown in Fig.1 taken on the line 5--5 thereof.

In that form of the invention illustrated in the drawing, the dispensingdevice is designed to be applied to the neck of a container 2 andembodies an outer shell or holder 4 having a spout 6 with a dischargeopening 8 therein. The dispensing device itself is enclosed within theholder 4 as a self contained unit and includes a cup shaped member I0having a discharge opening I2 which communicates with the dischargeopening 8 in the holder 4. A disc I4 is located in contact with theupper rim of the cup shaped member I0 and cooperates therewith to form aliquid receiving chamber I6. Thedisc I4 is provided with inlet openingsI8 through which liquid may ow into the liquid receiving chamber I6. Thecup shaped member I0 Aand the vdisc I4 are held inplace by a centrallylocated tubular element or eyelet 20 which passes through themembers Illand I4 and is flanged or spun over at its upper and lower ends so as tosecure together. A flange 22 lis locatedv above the d c I44 when thedevice and container are in ti-.e upright position of Fig. 1 while theange 24 is located beneath the cup shaped member III. Gravity responsivevalve means 26 is located witnin the liquid receiving chamber I6 and asshown consists of a disc arranged to close the inlet openings I8 whenthe liquid dispensing device is inverted. l An annular downwardlyextending sleeve 28 on the valve means 26 surrounds ey'elet 20 andserves to .space the valve means from the bottom of the cup shapedmember IIl when the liquid dispensing device is in an upright positionso that it will move freely within the liquid receiving chamber to closethe inlet openings I8 in the disc I4 when the device is inverted.

The tubular element or eyelet 20 serves as a liquid supplying means andis provided with a centrally located passage 30 which communicates atits lower end with the container 2 and is closed at its upper end by asecond gravity responsive valve means 32 arranged to vbear against theupper face of the flange 22 on the tubular element 20. The iiange 22 onthe 'eyelet serves to maintain the valve means 32 in spaced relation tothe openings I8 when the device is in an upright position whereas thevalve means 32 is movable away from the flange 22 and the passage 30 andopenings I8 on inversion of the device. When inverted the valve means 32comes to rest against the shoulder 34 on the inner face. of compressiblemeans or bulb 36. 'Ihe valve means 32 therefore is movable into and outof engagement with the iiange 22 to control communication between thecontainer 2 and the inlet I8 which leads to the liquid receiving chamberI6, while communication between the air space within the bulb 38 themembers I0 and i4.

and the openings I8 in the disc I4 is continuously maintained.

The compressible means 36 is shown to comprise a flexible rubber bulbwhich normally tends to assume a generally hemispherical shape andthereby tends to return to its normal shape after compression due to theinherent bulb. The bulb is provided with a marginal portion 38 whichbears against the upper face of the disc I4 and presents a rim engagedby the .outer retaining member 43 which serves to hold the cup shapedmember Il, the disc I4, and the bulb 36 together as a unit whichcomprises the dispensing device and its pump means. The retaining member40 is provided with an opening 42 which registers the cup shaped memberI of the dispensing device and the discharge opening 8 in the spout ofthe holder 4.

The dispensing device is thus seen to embody a limited number of partswhich can be made easily and economically from sheet metal stamping andthey may be assembled and handled as a unitary structure. However, thedispensing device may be assembled with the holder 4 so as to be shippedand applied as a unit. For this purpose a washer or gasket 44 is locatedbetween the ,bottom ofthe retaining member 40 and the upper edge of theneck ofthe container 2 to seal the space between the dispensing deviceand the container. The gasket preferably has a forced or frictional twithin the holder 4 and against the shoulder 46 thereof so as to retainthe dispensing device within the holder. y

The construction shown and described is intended to be applied to acontainer and is held in xed position with respect thereto by suitablemeans such as the complementary threads 48 on the holder and container.When thus secured in place and when the parts are in the uprightposition illustrated in Fig. l, the valve means 32 is in contact withthe upper flange 22 on the tubular liquid supplying means 30 and servesto seal the container. Moreover, the lower end of the tubular element 30is located above the liquid in the container when in an upright positionso that liquid will not be drawn up into the dis- I0 so that it isfreely movable toward the apertured disc I4 when the device is inverted.

When the container and device are inverted for operation, the valvemeans 26 and 32 move to positions indicated in Fig. 2 in which the discof the valve means 26 closes the inlet openings I8 of the liquidreceiving chamber I6 whereas the valve means 32 moves away from theiiange 22 since the valve resiliency of the I with the discharge openingI2 in l gravity actuated the flange 22 and the valve means 32. lHowever,

means 26 closes the, inlet openings I8 of the liquid receiving vchamberair is trapped in the space about the flange 22 and below the valvemeans 32 as seen in Fig. 2 so that liquid cannot flow from the containerto the liquid receiving chamber.

Upon thereafterl compressing the bulb 36 the parts assume 'the positionsindicated in Fig. 3. At that time air is forced from the cavity 50 inthe bulb 36 so that the valve disc 32 is forced upward into contact withthe ilange 22 of the tubular element 26 closing the lower end of thepassage 36. Air then flows about the edges of the valve means 32 andbetween the upper face of the valve means and the apertured disc I4 tothe inlet openings I3. -The 'air then raises the valve means 26 so thatit may pass from the liquid receiving chamber through the dischargeopenings I2 and 8.

Upon subsequent expansion of the bulb 36 the parts assume the positionsindicated in Fig, 4 of the drawings. At this time the valve means 26 and32 are drawn downward in the inverted dispensing device so that thevalve means 26 closes the inlet opening I3 in the liquid receivingchamber whereas the valve means 32 is moved away from the iiange 22 ofthe element 20 and into engagement with the shoulder 34 on the interiorof thefbulb 36. The valve means 32 is provided with notches 52 in theedges thereof which provide communication between thevcavity 50 in thebulb and the space above the valve means 32. Therefore continuedexpansion of the bulb 36 and its cavity 50 causes liquid to be drawndownward from the container into the space between the \upper surface ofthe valve means 32 and the lower surface of the apertured disc I4.

plying means and tends to iiow outward between Some of this liquid alsomay flow through the notches 52 in the edges of the valve means into thecavity 50 so that the cavity will thereafter contain both air andliquid.

When the device has thus been charged with liquid, compression of thebulb 36 causes the elements again to assume the positions shown in Fig.3 wherein the valve means 26 and 32 are both raised. The valve means 32then is forced upward into engagement with the flange 22 of the tubularliquid supplying element 20 so as to prevent a return flow of liquidfrom the dispensing Adevice to the container, whereas the liquid whichwas previously located in the space between the valve means 32 and theapertured disc I4 is forced upward and outward through the inlet openingI3 and past the valve means 26 to the liquid receiving chamber I6. Aportion of the liquid in the bulb cavity 5U also may flow into theliquid receiving chamber I6.` The capacity of the liquid recei ingchamber is limited and thereholder 4.

In actual practice it tity of liquid discharged on each compression ofthe bulb When the device is turned upright with the container afterdischarge of liquid therefrom the elements of the construction againassume receiving chamber At the same time the expansion of air withinthe container can lift the valve means 32 so that it can escape throughthe uncovered inlet opening I8 when necessary.

Compression of the bulb 36 when the device is in an upright-positionafter once having been charged with liquid causes some of the liquid toflow downward through the inlet openings I8 to the liquid receivingchamber I6. However, the discharge opening I2 in the liquid receivingchamber is spaced somewhat above the bottom of the chamber and thedischarge opening 8 in the holder 4' is inclined at such an angle thatany liquid which may accumulate in the liquid will be retained therebyrather than expelled fromv the chamber. Therefore, operation of the bulb36 does not cause liquid to be discharged from the device when it isupright, whereas the discharge of liquid when the device is inverted isconsistent and substantially uniform in character.

The form of the invention illustrated is uid therefrom.

economical to produce and may be assembled quickly and easily. It may bemanufactured as a unit for insertion into holders of different types andshape and may be assembled and held in place in the holder. In order tohold the various elements of the construction in registering positionthe cup shaped member III is provided with an outwardly facing groove 54adjacent the discharge opening I2 which is slidably engageable with theinwardly projecting rib 56 in the retaining member 40. Similarly,registering means are located diametrically opposite the dischargeopening I2 and vfor this purpose the holder 4 is provided with alongitudinally extending slot 58 which receives an outwardly projectingnib 60 on the retaining member 4U. The elements are thus held accuratelyin place and in registration with respect to each other and with respectto the holder, while the .gasket 44 serves to retain the dispensingdevice, as a unit in position within the holder when it is handled priorto application to a container.

Although a particular embodiment of the present invention is shown inthe drawings and -herein described, it-will be apparent that numerouschanges and modifications may be made in the form, construction, andarrangement of the elements employed in the combination. In view thereofit should be understood that the embodiment of the invention hereinshown and described is intended to be illustrative only and is notintended to limit the scope of the invention.

We claim:

l. A liquid dispensing device adapted to be applied to a container andmovabletherewith to inverted and upright positions, said devicecomprising means having a discharge opening, means for conducting liquidfrom said container to said opening, valve means controlling flow ofliquid from said container to said opening, a second valve meanscontrolling flow of liquid from said container to said opening, and acompressible bulb having a cavity therein communicating with said valvemeans, said valve means being movable by gravity to alternativepositions in each of which one of said valve means is closed and theother of said valve means is open, both of said valve means beingmovable in response to compression of said bulb when the container anddispensing device are in an inverted position to cause liquid to bedischarged from said discharge opening, compression of said valves beingarranged container and dispensing device are in an upright positionsewing to urge said valve means to positions in which they prevent thedischarge of liquid from said discharge openbulb when the lng.

2. A liquid dispensing deviceV adapted to be applied to a container andmovable therewith to inverted and upright positions, said devicecomprising a liquid receiving chamber having a discharge openingtherein, liquid supplying means communicating withsaid container andsaid liquid receiving chambe a gravity responsive valve controllingcommunication between said liquid receiving chamber and said liquidsupplying means, a second gravity responsive valve controlling flow ofliquid through said liquid supplying means, said so that when thecontainer and dispensing device are upright the first valve is openedand the second valve is closed and when the container and dispensingdevice are inverted the i'lrst valve is closed and the second valve isopened, and compressible means operable to move said valves against theaction of gravity whereby compression thereof when said container anddispensing device are inverted will cause the second valve to be movedto prevent return ilow of liquid to said container and will cause therst valve to be moved to permit flow of liquid to said liquid receivingchamber and discharge opening.

3. A liquid dispensing device adapted to be applied to a container andmovable therewith to inverted and upright positions, said-devicecomprising two members having portions thereof spaced apart to form aliquid receiving chamber having a discharge opening, one of said membersbeing formed with an inlet opening, a valve located in said liquidreceiving chamber and spaced from said inlet opening when the containerand dispensing device are in an upright position but movable under theaction of gravity to close said inlet opening when the container anddevice are inverted, liquid supplying means communicating with saidcontainer and with said inlet opening, a second valve means locatedoutside said liquid receiving chamber and in position to close saidliquid supplying means when said container and dispensing device areupright but movable away from the liquid supplying means under theaction of gravity when said container and dispensing device areinverted, and a compressible bulb having a fluid receiving cavitytherein communicating with both valve means so that compression of saidbulb when the container and dispensing device are inverted means andprevent reverse flow of liquid through the liquid supplying means to thecontainer and force uid and liquid from the bulb cavity through saidinlet openingV and liquid receiving chamber to said discharge outlet.

4. A liquid dispensing device adapted to be applied to a container andmovable therewith to inverted and upright positions, said devicecomprising two members having portions thereof l spaced apart t0 form aliquid receiving chamber will raise both of said valve supplying member,and a compressible member movable to raise said valves when thecontainer and device are inverted to prevent return ow of liquid throughsaid liquid supplying member to said container and to open the valve insaid liquid receiving chamber for passage of liquid through said inletopening to said liquid receiving chamber and discharge opening.

5. A liquid dispensing device adapted to be applied to a container andmovable therewith to inverted and upright positions, said devicecomprising two members having portions thereof spaced apart to form aliquid receiving chamber provided with a discharge opening, one of saidmembers having an inlet opening therein for admitting liquid to saidchamber, a gravity responsive valve located in said chamber above thelatter member when the container and device are inverted and movableinto and out of position to close said inlet opening, a liquid supplyingmember communicating with said container and inlet opening, a gravityresponsive valve located below said member when the container and deviceare inverted and movable to control the ilow of liquid through saidliquid supplying member, and a compressible member movable to raise saidvalves when the container and device are inverted to prevent return flowof liquid through said liquid supplying member to said container and toopen the valve in said liquid receiving chamber for passage of liquidthrough said inlet opening to said liquid -receiving chamber andAdischarge opening.

6. A liquid dispensing device adapted to be applied to a container andoperablev when the container and device are inverted to discharge liquidfrom the container, said device comprising a cup-shaped member having adischarge opening therein and compressible means secured to thecup-shaped member, and cooperating therewith to form an enclosure, adisc member dividing said enclosure into a liquid receiving chamber anda compressible chamber, said disc member and a discharge openingcommunicating with said cavity, a compressible bulb having a cavitytherein located adjacent to the cavity in the eupshaped member, a discmember separating the cavity in the cup-shaped member from the cavity inthe bulb and cooperating therewith to form a bulb chamber and a liquidreceiving chamber, said disc member having an aperture therein pro-,viding communication between said chambers. means forming a passageextending from said container to said bulb chamber, a gravity responsivevalve located in the bulb chamber and positioned to close said passagewhen the container and device are in an upright position, said valvebeing movable to a position to permit flow of liquid through saidpassage when the device and container are inverted, a second gravityresponsive valve located in said liquid receiving chamber and positionedto close the aperture providing communication between said chambers whenthe container and device are in said inverted position but movable oncompression of said bulb to permit ilow of liquid from the bulb chamberto said liquid receiving chamber and through said discharge opening.

8. A liquid dispensing device adapted vto be applied to a container andoperable in inverted position to discharge liquid from said container,said device comprising a self-contained pump unit formed to provide twochambers with an apertured partition therebetween, one chamber beingunvariable in size and having a pressure responsive disc valve movabletherein and a discharge orifice leading therefrom, the other chamberbeing enclosed in part by a compressible member movable to vary the sizeof said second chamber, a disc valve also moving within said secondchamber, means conducting liquid from said container to said secondchamber through said rst chamber, and means for detachably holding saidpump unit to the mouth o! said container and having a nozzled portaligned with said discharge orice of said rst chamber.

9. A liquid dispensing device adapted to be applied to a container, saiddevice comprising a self-contained pump unit and consisting essentiallyof a cup-shaped member, an apertured partition disc having one facethereof closing the open end of said cup-shaped member, a beadedcompressible bulb seated against the opposite surface of said disc, saidcup-shaped member, disc and bulb being held together as a unit by aclosure shell, said unit being divided into two chambers by saidapertured disc, one chamber having a discharge orice, the other chamberbeing formed in part by said bulb, means leading through said rstchamber to conduct liquid from said container to said second chamber, adisc valve member located on each of said chambers and responsive topositive and negative forces resulting from compression and expansion ofsaid bulb, and means for detachably holding said mouth of said containerand having a nozzled port, aligned with said discharge orifice of saidrst chamber.

10. A construction of the character defined in claim 4 wherein said twomembers and said compressible member are secured together in the form ofVretaining the shell in place on a container, the

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